21 filRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



equally distributed, but is much more plentiful in Skye and its 

 outlying stacks of rock, whose precipitous sides afford abundant 

 shelter and protection. It is also comparatively common in the 

 Outer Hebrides, breeding on the higher hills. I have traced it 

 from Barra to Lewis, and have seen it on all the intervening 

 islands. 'Mr John M'Donald of Newton, North Uist, informs me 

 that he has seen the Peregrine during the breeding season on the 

 Haskeir rocks, between Harris and St Kilda, and on St Kilda 

 itself, where there are several pairs. 



As we leave these isolated and almost impregnable fortresses 

 of the Peregrine, and approach the mainland, we find that the 

 ravages of keepers and collectors have of late years greatly 

 thinned its numbers. Among the deserted eyries of the south- 

 western counties may be mentioned Dumbarton rock, the lesser 

 Cumbrae, Ayr Heads (within the last two years), and at least 

 three or four stations on the cliffs between Girvan and the entrance 

 to Loch Ryan, including that on Knockdolian hill. 



There are still many pairs to be found in the vicinity of B;:n 

 Lomond and on the mountain ranges stretching from the head of 

 Loch Long both to the north and west. From these districts and 

 other parts of Argyleshire, as well as the island of Arran, con- 

 siderable numbers of Peregrines are sent in to the Glasgow bird- 

 stuffers. In Ayrshire several inland haunts, such as the parish of 

 Straiten, are yet frequented; the same may be said of Wigtown- 

 shire, in which county, however, the eyries at Mull of Galloway, 

 Portpatrick, and Burrow Head, are now all but abandoned. I saw 

 at the last-named haunt a handsome pair of birds a year ago, but 

 was sorry to learn that a few weeks after my visit the female was 

 shot while sitting on her nest by a keeper, who, it is hoped, has 

 by this time repented of the cruel act. 



It is seldom that this Falcon rears more than three young ones, 

 though as many as five eggs are sometimes laid. In one nest in 

 Skye two years ago there were four young birds. The old female 

 was shot, and a trap was set for her mate, who brought two 

 pigeons and a starling to the nest before he was caught. The 

 prey of the Peregrine is very varied, consisting of game birds, 

 such as young pheasants, partridges, red grouse, and black game, 

 snipe and wild duck, when these can be readily obtained in the 

 vicinity of its ordinary haunts. When located, as is often the case, 

 beside a colony of gulls and guillemots, it contents itself with plun- 



